Rugby - Truck and Trailer!

[finbar]

Interesting report this morning that the Kiwis are considering restricting their S12 franchises to All Blacks-eligible players. In other words, no more signing up PIs and flying them in to play S12. Under that sort of rule, a player like Rupeni Caucau wouldn't have been able to play for the Blues.

[ravagon]

The mystery bug strikes again. Rokocoko out for Saturday too. That hurts.

http://www.planetrugby.com/Tournaments/Tri_Nations/story_37344.shtml

On the bright side Carter is looking fit enough to front up but given the number still out that isn't much of a silver lining ...

[finbar]

Yep. The Boks would seem to be in with an almighty chance. I wonder to whom we will give the points start?

[Andydog]

Originally posted by finbar
Interesting report this morning that the Kiwis are considering restricting their S12 franchises to All Blacks-eligible players. In other words, no more signing up PIs and flying them in to play S12. Under that sort of rule, a player like Rupeni Caucau wouldn't have been able to play for the Blues.

I don't think anything will come of this. In the report I read, Fa'atau said if the door to New Zealand's top professional teams was closed many Pacific islanders would be forced to develop their skills overseas. (Fa'atau was born in Wellington btw).

Fa'atau:
They could go and play in Japan or England, but they come to New Zealand, or Australia, because that's where the best rugby is, that's what they come here for.

Rugby's getting bigger around the world and if they don't play in New Zealand they will go further afield . . . there's a lot more money in places like France and Italy.

For me, personally, it probably won't effect me over the next year or two. But guys deserve a chance when they have come to New Zealand to better their rugby," he said.

It would be sad for the guys who come here in future years.

[Andydog]

Originally posted by finbar
Yep. The Boks would seem to be in with an almighty chance. I wonder to whom we will give the points start?

How about we don't award any points to any team? We've lost a lot of good players due to misfortune, and the Boks seem to be firing on all cylinders this season. I see Henry reacted to the Bok scrum threat by bringing in Somerville.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog


I don't think anything will come of this. In the report I read, Fa'atau said if the door to New Zealand's top professional teams was closed many Pacific islanders would be forced to develop their skills overseas. (Fa'atau was born in Wellington btw).

You mean Leicester?

And it's a pity Havak disappeared before he could read this from Fa'atau:

They could go and play in Japan or England, but they come to New Zealand, or Australia, because that's where the best rugby is, that's what they come here for.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog


How about we don't award any points to any team? We've lost a lot of good players due to misfortune, and the Boks seem to be firing on all cylinders this season. I see Henry reacted to the Bok scrum threat by bringing in Somerville.

Actually, I was contemplating a start for the ABs.

[Andydog]

How about a 4.5 start for ABs then?

[finbar]

Our online Sports Bet organisations have the ABs clear favourites, but, with the injuries and illnesses, I can't see it. I notice Rokococo is picked to start. I assume that means he's fit after the illness.

Anyway, I'm happy to back the Boks with 4.5 points start for the ABs. If the Boks turn up like they did in the first hour against the PIs, I think they can roll the ABs. They're massively strong in the forwards and set pieces, and I think the ABs are depleted in those areas. The Boks are also nippy out wide, though obviously not as potent as the ABs. Perhaps it might boil down to the service the Bok backs can get.

Having just checked the Bank A/c, I only have 14.5 Civ Gold. I'll wager 12 on the Boks with 4.5 points start for the ABs.

[ravagon]

Crikey, a start for the AB's while playing at home? What's the world coming to?

10 on the All-Blacks please. I'm still confident of a win, albeit a pretty narrow one.
I can't see Rokocoko starting somehow - some of the others are getting over the mystery bug but he only just came down with it.


That proposal to ban PI players from the S12 is an utterly bloody awful idea. What are they supposed to do instead?
I suppose it could compel all PI players currently in NZ's S12 teams to sign up for the AB's but that'd hardly be the intent of the proposal.
If it were implemented in conjunction with, perhaps, accepting all PI national teams into a regular competition then it may actually have some benefit but as is it puts them out in the cold.
all around.

[finbar]

Originally posted by ravagon
Crikey, a start for the AB's while playing at home? What's the world coming to?

I'm perfectly happy to back the Boks with a start. As I said, our online sports betting has the ABs favourites, and comfortably. I don't think it's going to be that easy.

10 on the All-Blacks please.

Gotcha.

That proposal to ban PI players from the S12 is an utterly bloody awful idea. What are they supposed to do instead?

That was the point Andydog quoted yesterday. They would have to go to South Africa - I'm not sure about their S12 eligibility rules - or the NH. They couldn't play S12 here, because we already have the rule that says you have to be eligible for the Wallabies to play S12 here. Which is the rule the NZRFU would appear to be planning to emulate. Or talking about it, anyway.

I suppose it could compel all PI players currently in NZ's S12 teams to sign up for the AB's but that'd hardly be the intent of the proposal.

Ain't that easy. They'd have to qualify for the ABs via residency. I think it's three years. So they'd be resident for three years, but ineligible to play S12. They could only play NPC, I assume.

[Andydog]

Originally posted by finbar
If the Boks turn up like they did in the first hour against the PIs, I think they can roll the ABs. They're massively strong in the forwards and set pieces, and I think the ABs are depleted in those areas. The Boks are also nippy out wide, though obviously not as potent as the ABs. Perhaps it might boil down to the service the Bok backs can get.

I think we'll beat them. We will probably see a slightly more expansive game (the weather is looking favorable but there will be some frost) from the ABs than what we saw against the Poms and Wallabies. We'll weather the storm for the first half and then make inroads when the fat Bokkes start tiring. All we need to do on defense is tackle hard - the Boks will turn it over eventually.

In the scrums we'll cramp the Bokkes on the hit - beating them to it with timing rather than shunting them (like we did to the Aussies last week). A few wheels perhaps, and maybe some crabbing of the scrum across to disrupt the Bokke ball. Scrums on our ball will be quick and cleared quickly.

Having just checked the Bank A/c, I only have 14.5 Civ Gold. I'll wager 12 on the Boks with 4.5 points start for the ABs.

I could bet something stupid, like 3 civ gold, just to get up everyone's goat, but I won't. 20 on the AB's please!

[Andydog]

another DP! i've been having a lot of this lately

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog

I think we'll beat them. We will probably see a slightly more expansive game (the weather is looking favorable but there will be some frost) from the ABs than what we saw against the Poms and Wallabies. We'll weather the storm for the first half and then make inroads when the fat Bokkes start tiring. All we need to do on defense is tackle hard - the Boks will turn it over eventually.

In the scrums we'll cramp the Bokkes on the hit - beating them to it with timing rather than shunting them (like we did to the Aussies last week). A few wheels perhaps, and maybe some crabbing of the scrum across to disrupt the Bokke ball. Scrums on our ball will be quick and cleared quickly.

Yes, my worry about the Boks is their last 20 minutes against the PIs. They either ran out of puff or lost concentration. I'm crossing my fingers they'll be pumped for this one. Our commentators here are convinced it will be the ABs easily.

I could bet something stupid, like 3 civ gold, just to get up everyone's goat, but I won't. 20 on the AB's please!

Gotcha.

So that's ravagon for 10, Andydog 20 on the All Blacks with a 4.5 margin. And I'm having 12 on the Boks.

Pool: 42 Civ Gold.

[Caligastia]

There's already plenty of money on the ABs so I'll put 20 on the Boks.

I reckon NZ will win, but if they don't I can at least console myself by going for a swim in my civ gold money bin...or at least wash my hands in a sink of civ gold.

It's Andydog that'll be doing the swimming no doubt.